Mop and adjustable handle assembly for mops and the like



June 23, 1964 w. H. RICHARDS 3,137,878 MOP AND ADJUSTABLE HANDLE ASSEMBLY FOR MOPS AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 11, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY June 23, 1964 w. H. RICHARDS 3,137,873

MOP AND ADJUSTABLE HANDLE ASSEMBLY FOR MOPS AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 11, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 W H.121CHARD5 BY 6. 0- 2M ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,137,878 MOP AND ADJUTABLE HLE ASSEMELY FOR MGR?) AND THE LEKE William Henry Riehards, 1610 W. 14th St, Wilmington, Del. Filed Sept. 11, 1952, set. No. 222,872 11 Claims. (Cl. -118) This invention relates broadly to cellulose sponge mops, and more particularly to an adjustable handle assembly for mops and like implements.

An object of the invention is to provide a highly simplified, economical and efiiciently operating means to facilitate rapidly adjusting a mop handle angularly, relative to the mop head, and for securely releasably locking the handle in selected adjusted positions.

Another object is to provide an adjustable handle unit which may be installed economically upon various types of mop heads, and the like.

A further object is to provide an adjustable handle assembly, including resilient means to lock a handle mounted adjusting sleeve releasably in selected positions.

Still another object is to provide a device of the mentioned character which is sturdy and durable, very easy to operate and subject to very little wear during long usage.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective View of a mop, partly in broken lines, having the adjustable handle assembly according to the invention applied thereto,

FIGURE 2 is a further perspective view of the handle assembly, and associated elements, partly broken away and partly in section,

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary front elevation of the adjustable handle assembly, showing in broken lines an adjusted position of the sleeve and locking rod, and

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged central vertical section through the handle assembly, and showing in broken lines the various adjusted positions of the mop head relative to the handle.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 10 designates the adjustable handle assembly of the invention in its entirety, applied to a mop head 11 of any desired or conventional type. The mop head 11 may be a cellulosic sponge mop head of the foldable or nonfoldable type, as preferred, and the mop head may or may not be equipped with squeezing or wringing means, as found preferable. The mop head 11 may carry upon its upper side a suitable adaptor plate 12 as shown in the drawings, in which case the handle assembly 10 is secured to this adaptor plate. If preferred, the adaptor plate 12 may be omitted andthe handle assembly 111 may be mounted directly upon a rigid backing plate carrying the cellulosic sponge.

The invention handle'assembly it proper comprises a. relatively narrow mounting plate 13, well adapted to be formed of plastics material, metal or the like. This ,mounting plate 13 has an integral trailing scraper extenembodiment of the invention, the mounting plate 13 rests directly upon the flat adaptor plate 12 and is swiveled 3,137,878 Patented June 23, '1964 Icethereto for horizontal angular adjustment by a suitable swivel element or screw 15, FIGURE 4, projecting upwardly through a central opening in the adaptor plate 12.

Means are provided upon the adaptor and mounting plates 12 and 13 to releasably secure these elements in one of two adjusted positions, whereby the mounting plate 13 and mop handle, to be described, extend transversely of the mop head 11, as in FIGURE 1, or longitudinally thereof, at right angles to the position shown in FIGURE 1.

Such adjusting means may comprise a pair of screw threaded openings 16 in the adaptor plate 12, spaced degrees apart, and either one of which openings may receive a suitable locking screw 17, carried within an opening near the forward extremity of the mounting plate 13. Therefore, the mounting plate 13 may swing horizontally upon the adaptor plate 12 to a position at right angles to that shown in FIGURE 1, merely by retracting the screw 17 from one opening 16 and reinserting this screw in the other opening, spaced 90 degrees from the first opening. The arrangement permits the conversion of the mop depicted in FIGURE 1 to a long narrow mop, extending longitudinally of the handle, as sometimes needed to clean in narrow quarters.

If preferred, other types of adjustable connections between the adaptor plate 12 and mounting plate 13 may be utilized, in lieu of the two openings 16 and locking screw 17. For example, the mounting plate 13 could have a side extension, provided with an arcuate slot, re ceiving a clamping screw secured within the adaptor plate or mop head at a fixed location.

The assembly 10 further comprises a preferably metallic tubular mop handle 18, provided at its lower end with a pivot fitting 19 of plastics material, or the like, and rigidly secured thereto. The fitting 19 is disposed within a central recess 20 of the mounting plate 13, and pivoted therein by means of a transverse pivot pin 21, or the like, as shown.

Mounted slideably and telescopically upon the handle 18 is an operating sleeve 22, formed of plastics material, or the like, and being of a size for convenient grasping by one hand, when the other hand of the user is holding the mop handle 18 above the sleeve 22. The sleeve 22 has a radial opening 23 formed through its side wall, near and above its lower end. This radial opening 23 receives therethrough a short transverse locking extension 24 of a general longitudinal stilf locking rod 25, bridging the .space between the sleeve 22 and the forward portion of mounting plate 13. The lower or forward end ofrthe rod 25 is received within a narrow recess 26 near the forward end of mounting plate 13, and has a transverse pivot opening 27, adapted to register with aligned transverse pivot openings 27' in mounting plate 13, on opposite 'sides of the recess 26.

The pintle or hinge pin for the lower end of locking rod 25 is formed by a short integral transverse extension .28 of a generally longitudinal single wire locking. spring 29 for the locking rod 25, and having at its top end an integral hook extension 319,-which embraces the locking rod 25 slideably near the longitudinal center of the latter. The spring 29 may lie' relatively close to the rod 25 and approximately parallel thereto,'and both the locking rod and this spring extend generally longitudinally of the mop handle 18 and mounting plate 13; The" spring 29 serves a'dual purpose in the assembly 10, namely forming ,the pivot element for the locking rod 25 and also serving to resiliently bias the locking rod 25 laterally in one direction, as will be further described. The transverse extension 28- of'spring 29 is also pivotally coupled to the mounting plate 13 within the pivot openings 27, whereby the spring and locking rod 25 have a common pivotal connection with the mounting plate 13. The spring 29 is a bow-like spring which is tensioned outwardly from the rod 25, so that the latter is constantly pulled upon transversely by the hook extension 30. The pivotal connection for the lower end of the rod 25, afforded by the element 28, may be a loose connection to permit the necessary laterally swinging of the rod about its lower end, as well as the necessary free vertical swinging of this rod relative to the mounting plate 13.

To elfect the actual adjustment of the mop handle 18 relative to the mop head 11, and for releasably locking these parts in at least three adjusted positions, the mop handle 18, adjacent to the shiftable sleeve 22 has a longitudinal side wall slot 31 formed therein, to receive the short locking extension 24 rnoveably. The slot 31 is provided at its opposite ends with short transverse branch or locking slots 32 and 33, communicating therewith, and a further transverse branch or locking slot 34 is provided intermediate the end slots 32 and 33. The extension 24 engages through the sleeve opening 23, as well as the mop handle slot, as shown in the drawings.

The arrangement is such that when the sleeve 22 is in the lowermost position upon the handle 18, and the extension 24 is within the slot 33, the mop handle is disposed approximately parallel to the plane of the mop head 11, as shown in broken lines in FIGURE 4. When the sleeve 22 is fully elevated along the handle 18, and the extension 24 is within the locking slot 32, the mop handle is approximately at right angles to the mop head 11. When the extension 24 is within the intermediate slot 34, the mop handle 18 is arranged approximately at 45 degrees to the mop head 11, as shown in full lines in FIGURE 4. Obviously, a greater number of branch locking slots may be provided in the mop handle 18, between the end slots 32 and 33, if preferred, to provide additional adjustments between the mop handle and mop head. The spring 29 serves to constantly urge the locking extension 24 of rod 25 toward locking engagement with the several branch slots 32, 34 and 33.

To operate the adjustable handle assembly, the user merely grasps the handle 18 with one hand, above the sleeve 22, and also grasps this sleeve with the other hand. The sleeve 22 is twisted eircumferentially in one direction, against the force of spring 29, to shift the extension 24 out of the particular locking slot 32, 34 or 33. In such twisted position, the sleeve 22 is then merely shifted axially of the handle 18 in one direction or the other, by the one hand of the operator, to position the extension 24 for entry under influence of the spring 29 into another one of the locking slots 32, 34 or 33.

In this manner, the angularity of the handle 18 relative to the mop head 11 may be quickly and conveniently adjusted, with very little effort, and without the necessity for operating any screws, clamps or like elements. When adjusted, the parts remain securely locked automatically in the selected adjusted position, and will not move until sleeve 22 is again twisted and shifted axially, as described.

This mode of operation may be carried out in the identical manner described, regardless of whether the handle and mounting plate are arranged at right angles to the mop head 11, as shown in the drawings, or longitudinally thereof, by virtue of the other adjustment afforded by the screw 17, and associated elements.

The metallic parts of the assembly are all formed of stainless steel or like non-corrosive metal, and the remaining parts may be formed of plastics material, as stated. The assembly is economical to build, very easy to use and reliable and efiicient in operation.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A mop comprising a mop head, a mounting plate secured to said mop head, a mop handle pivoted to the mounting plate and swingable relative thereto and having a longitudinal slot and spaced locking slots extending from one side of the longitudinal slot and communicating therewith, a locking rod having a locking extension engaging within said slot, a sleeve slidably mounted upon said handle and having an opening receiving said locking extension and being movable axially of the handle to shift said extension selectively into alignment with any one of said locking slots, and a spring interconnecting said mounting plate and locking rod and constantly urging the latter toward engagement with said locking slots, said spring having a portion pivoted to the mounting plate, said locking rod pivoted on said portion of the spring, said sleeve adapted to rotate relative to said handle under influence of said spring.

2. In a mop, a mop head, a mounting plate secured to said head, a handle pivoted to the mounting plate and having a longitudinal slot and longitudinally spaced branch locking slots communicating with the longitudinal slot and extending beyond one side of the longitudinal slot, a spring extending generally longitudinally of the handle and spaced therefrom and having a transverse pivot extension pivoted to the mounting plate and spaced from the pivot of the handle and substantially parallel therewith, and a locking rod extending generally longitudinally of said handle and spring and having one end pivotally mounted upon said pivot extension of the spring and provided at its opposite end with a generally transverse locking extension engageable within said longitudinal slot, a hook extension on said spring engaging said locking rod and resiliently urging it laterally in one direction tending to engage said locking extension with a selected one of said locking slots, and a sleeve slidable upon said handle adjacent said longitudinal slot and having a radial opening receiving said locking extension.

3. In a mop, mop head means, a handle pivoted to the mop head means, a locking rod arranged in spaced relation to said handle and extending generally longitudinally thereof, locking detent means on said handle engageable with said locking rod in selected adjusted positions of the latter to position the mop head means at various angles to said handle, an operator member slidably and rotatably mounted upon said handle and connected with the locking rod and operable to position the latter relative to said detent means, and a spring connected with said locking rod and urging it toward engagement with said detent means and having a part pivoted to the mop head means, said locking rod pivotally mounted upon said part of the spring pivoted to the mop head means.

4. A mop comprising a mop head, an adaptor plate secured to and carrying the mop head, a handle mounting plate secured pivotally to the adaptor plate, means to releasably secure said mounting and adaptor plates in at least a pair of relatively rotated positions substantially ninety degrees apart circumferentially on the pivot axis of said adaptor and mounting plates, a handle pivoted to said mounting plate and having longitudinally spaced locking detent means, a locking rod arranged near one side of said handle and extending generally longitudinally thereof, an operating sleeve movably mounted upon said handle adjacent said detent means and having an opening, a locking extension on said rod projecting through said opening and engageable with said detent means, and a spring connected with said rod and urging the same constantly toward engagement with said detent means, said spring pivoted to said mounting plate and said locking rod pivoted to the mounting plate through said spring.

5. The invention as defined by claim 4, and wherein said detent means comprises a longitudinal slot in said handle having a plurality of longitudinally spaced branch locking slots projecting from one side thereof and communicating therewith.

6. The invention as defined by claim 4, and wherein said spring connected with said rod includes a transverse extension pivoted to said mounting plate, said extension also forming a pivot element for said locking rod.

7. An adjustable handle assembly for mops and the like comprising a mounting plate adapted for attachment to a mop head or the like, a handle pivoted to said mounting plate and having longitudinal detent means, a locking rod engageable with said detent means, a spring engaging the locking rod and tensioned to shift the locking rod laterally in one direction toward locking engagement with said detent means of the handle, an extension on said spring pivoted to the mounting plate and said locking rod on a pivot axis spaced from and parallel to the pivot axis of the handle, and an operator slidably and rotatably mounted upon said handle and connected with the locking rod for manually shifting the latter axially and circumferentially of the handle and said detent means.

8. The invention as defined by claim 7, and wherein 6 said spring is a bow-type spring spaced from and generally parallel to said locking rod and includes a hook extension embracing said locking rod intermediate the ends of the latter.

9. The invention as defined by claim 7, and wherein said operator on said handle is a sleeve slidable and turnable thereon.

10. The invention as defined by claim 2, and a scraper extension carried by said mounting plate and projecting beyond one side of the mop head.

11. The invention as defined by claim 4, and a scaper extension secured to said mounting plate and projecting beyond corresponding sides of the mop head and adaptor plate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,618,802 McWatters Nov. 25, 1952 2,670,488 Richards et a1. Mar. 2, 1954 2,967,317 Richards Jan. 10, 1961 3,000,029 Wood Sept. 19, 1961 

3. IN A MOP, MOP HEAD MEANS, A HANDLE PIVOTED TO THE MOP HEAD MEANS, A LOCKING ROD ARRANGED IN SPACED RELATION TO SAID HANDLE AND EXTENDING GENERALLY LONGITUDINALLY THEREOF, LOCKING DETENT MEANS ON SAID HANDLE ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID LOCKING ROD IN SELECTED ADJUSTED POSITIONS OF THE LATTER TO POSITION THE MOP HEAD MEANS AT VARIOUS ANGLES TO SAID HANDLE, AN OPERATOR MEMBER SLIDABLY AND ROTATABLY MOUNTED UPON SAID HANDLE AND CONNECTED WITH THE LOCKING ROD AND OPERABLE TO POSITION THE LATTER RELATIVE TO SAID DETENT MEANS, AND A SPRING CONNECTED WITH SAID LOCKING ROD AND URGING IT TOWARD ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID DETENT MEANS AND HAVING A PART PIVOTED TO THE MOP HEAD MEANS, SAID LOCKING ROD PIVOTALLY MOUNTED UPON SAID PART OF THE SPRING PIVOTED TO THE MOP HEAD MEANS. 